title: The use of protective behavioral strategies is related to reduced risk in heavy drinking college students with poorer mental and physical health.
abstract: The present study examined the moderating role of health status (physical, mental, and social health) and the relationships between protective behavioral strategies utilized to reduce high-risk drinking (e.g., avoiding drinking games, setting consumption limits, or having a designated driver) and alcohol use and negative consequences in a sample of heavy drinking college students (N = 1,820). In this high risk sample, multiple regression analyses showed that stronger social health was related to increased drinking, while poorer physical, mental, and social health were related to increased alcohol negative consequences. Further, moderation effects revealed that increasing the use of protective behaviors was associated with significantly less drinking in those with stronger social health, as well as significantly lower numbers of negative consequences among participants with poorer physical and mental health. Implications for college counselors and medical personnel are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, California 90045, USA. jlabrie@lmu.edu
authors.forename: Joseph W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: LaBrie
authors.forename: Shannon R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Kenney
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lac
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D019601:Pacific States; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012919:Social Behavior; D012944:Social Support; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult